Cotton-picker.



No. 783,685. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. B. F. DAVIS.

COTTON PIGKER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30, 1904.

as wax-phyla I athomwqb Patented February 28, 1905.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. "783,685, dated February 28, 1905.

Application filed November 30, 1904. Serial No. 284,949.

To all whom, it may concern..-

Be it known that LBENJAMIN F. jl)av1s,a ci tizen of the United States, residing at Rocky, in the county of \Washita, Oklahoma Territory, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Pickers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is primarily designed to lessen the labor and COStil'lCitiGht to gathering cotton.

The purpose is to provide a mechanism which will remove the cotton from the plants and deliver it into a bag or like recr-aptacle, usually carried by the person operating in the lield, said mechanism comprising, essentially, a picking contrivance and a pneumatic gatherer and deliverer.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for eifectingthe resultrefcrence is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departii'ig from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cotton picker embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section thereof, parts being broken away. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View of the picker, showing the parts on a larger scale.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The device comprises a casing '1, from which projects a spout 2 and tube 3, the latter being of such construction as to convey the cotton into the bag or other receptacle carried by the operator. The spout 2 is vertically arranged and is provided at its lower end with the cotton-picking mechanism and with a lateral extension 33, forming a. mouth. A fan-wheel 4 is located in the casing l, and its shaft is extended at one end and provided with a pinion 5, which is in mesh with a gearwhcel 6, secured to a shaft 7, said gear-wheel having a handle 8, by meansof which motion is imparted thereto by hand. The shaft 7extends transversely of the casing and is exterior thereto and is provided at the end opposite to the gear-wheel 6 with a bevel-pinion 9, which meshes with a companion bevel-pinion 10 at the upper end of a vertical shaft ll. The shaft 1 '1 is located exterior to the casing 1 and spout E2 and is provided at its lower end with a. tappet-wheol 152 for actuating the cotton-picking mechanism in the manner presently to be described.

in order to steady the device and enable the operator to hold it in proper working position, a brace is projected therefrom and comprises sections 13 and 14-, connected by means of a universal joint 15. The part is is rigidly attached to the casing 1, and the part '13 is provided at its outer end with a rest in of such formation as to obtain a purchase against the breast of the operator when the device is in service. The universal joint 15 admits of moving the part 13, so as to adapt the body of the contrivance to suit the convenience of the operator.

The cotton-picking mechanism comprises companion arms 17, provided at their outer ends with claws l8 and having inclined slots 19 at their inner ends to receive. headed fastenings 20, by means of which said arms are connected to the bottom of the spent 2. The arms 17 receive a combined longitudimil and oscillatm'y movement, whereby the claws '18 are moved in and out and are opened and closed. 'hen the arms 17 are moved outward, the claws iii are projected and are opened, so as to take hold of the cotton, and upon moving inward the claws 18 close upon the cotton and then draw it within the spent, so as to be taken up by the draft therethrough when relieved. A lever ii is pivoted near its outer end to the bottom of the spout 2, and links 22 connect the inner end of said lever with the arms 17 at a. point between their ends. The outer end of the lever 21 is formed with a click 2?), which coi'ipcrates with the teeth of the tmmet-whcel '12 to effect an oscillatory movementof the lever-21. A spring 24 normally exerts a pressure against the lever 21 to hold its outer end in engagement With the tappet-wheel 12, this being essential to insure proper movement of the parts. The operator, provided with the bag or receptacle for receiving the cotton, carries the appliance in any convenient manner, either by taking hold of the same or by strapping it to the person, as may be determined upon. The delivery end of the tube 3 is placed in the mouth of the bag or receptacle, and the contrivance is so positioned as to bring the claws 18 in contact with the cotton, which is gathered by the rapid action of said claws in opening and closing and in moving backward and forward. \Vhen the arms 17 start inward, their first movement is to close upon the cotton, and as the arms start outward the claws open and relieve the cotton previously drawn in, and the draft created through the spout by means of the fan 4 carries the cotton along with it through the fan-casing and out through the tube 3 into the bag or receptacle.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In mechanism for gathering cotton, the combination of companion arms mounted for pivotal and longitudinal movement and having claws to take hold of the cotton,a lever,separate links pivotally connecting said lever with each of the arms, and means for imparting an oscillatory movement to said lever, substantially as set forth.

2. In means for gathering cotton, the combination of companion arms having claws at one end and inclined slots at the opposite end, fastenings passed throughsaid inclined slots, an oscillatory lever, and links connecting said lever with each of the arms, substantially as set forth.

3. An appliance for gathering cotton, comprising a casing havinga receiving-spout and a delivery-tube connected therewith, a fan arranged to operate in said casing, an operating-shaft, gearing between the operating-shaft and the fan-shaft, companion arms at the receiving end of the aforesaid spout adapted to receive a combined longitudinal and oscillatory movement, a lever, links connecting said lever with the arms, a power-transmitting shaft geared to the operating-shaft, and a tappet-wheel fitted to said power-transmitting shaft and adapted to impart an oscillatory movement to said lever, substantially as set forth.

In testimony WhereofI afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. DAVIS.

\Vitnesses:

lHAs. M. GARDER, TOM ANDERSON. 

